The operation came several hours after several hundred youths were said to have marched "aggressively" down Lozells Road.

The violence on Saturday night culminated in the stabbing to death of a 23-year-old man.

A total of 35 people were taken to hospital with police reporting up to 80 separate criminal incidents. Five people were arrested.

Of those injured, nine remain in hospital, one with a fractured skull.

'Outrageous, unacceptable'

A number of petrol bombs were also thrown and at least 12 gunshots were reported.

Chief Supt Tom Coughlan said Sunday had been a much calmer night: "There was a lot of work done to reassure the community yesterday, using many, many community leaders and I think that message has started to get through.

"Added to the real policing presence last night that had the effect of calming the situation."

Baroness Uddin, Labour peer and advocate for social justice, human rights and equality, said: "What on earth has led to an unsubstantiated rumour leading to this kind of violence?

"There is absolutely no place for minority communities in Britain fighting amongst themselves in this way.

"Surely if there are criminal elements in our society, by working together you could get to the criminal much better, I think this is absolutely outrageous and unacceptable."